Shloka 29

वीरभद्रस्य गमनप्रस्थानम् — Vīrabhadra’s Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

महाबलश्च नवभिः कोटिभिः पुंगवस्तथा

Transliteration

mahābalaśca navabhiḥ koṭibhiḥ puṃgavastathā

Translation

Mahābala too was present, together with nine crores of mighty leaders—heroes bull-like in strength.

Word by Word

• mahābalaḥ: Mahābala (the mighty one)
• mahābalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक; महत् + बल)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (विशेषणपूर्वपद)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• navabhiḥ: with nine
• navabhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण

• koṭibhiḥ: crores (of troops/attendants)
• koṭibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: koṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• puṃgavaḥ: Puṃgava (a leader/bull among them)
• puṃgavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṃgava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• tathā: likewise/also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: likewise/also)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmī

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga mapping; the verse is a numeric intensification (navabhiḥ koṭibhiḥ) underscoring the inexhaustible might of Rudra’s entourage.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Mahābala

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It emphasizes the immeasurable scale of divine power and support surrounding sacred events—reminding devotees that Śiva’s cosmic order (and those aligned with it) is vast beyond ordinary counting.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By portraying a tangible, countable retinue and mighty attendants, the text supports Saguna devotion—Śiva’s manifest majesty—helping the mind stabilize in reverent contemplation that can later mature toward the higher, formless (Nirguna) understanding.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate bhakti with disciplined japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—visualizing Śiva’s protective, all-pervading sovereignty while maintaining purity through simple Śaiva observances.